Tag Archives: So anyway

#johncleese #soanyway

Cleeseheads Across North America

It should come as no surprise to anyone who’s been reading my blogs, tweets, and posts that they have all been gradually overrun by information on John Cleese and his promo tour for his autobiography, So, Anyway… There’s no reason to fight it, and so for the next month or so, I’ll be posting from the road, starting November 4.

I’ll be traveling with John as he tours North America, doing personal appearances, interviews, and showing himself to be far more inexhaustible than I am. But I’ll try my best to keep up with him, and post whatever photos, behind-the-scenes comments, and great thoughts about each of the events as they happen.

If you have a chance to see John interviewed at any of the more than a dozen venues across North America, you’re in for a treat. And even if John is not coming to your town, you’re going to love So, Anyway… which goes on sale in America the first week of November. Stay tuned. #montypythonlive

Canadian Cleeseheads

I told you these events would sell out quickly. John’s appearance in Victoria is sold out. There are still tickets for Nov. 8 in Toronto, and Nov. 14 in Vancouver, but you’d best act quickly! And tickets include a signed copy of #Soanyway …

We’re walking…

Good news for those who have been waiting: The Ministry of Silly Walks game has now been released on Windows Phones and Windows 8 Desktops! I can't wait to show John Cleese how to play it! Here's the info...

iO Chicago students–are you in luck!

For a very limited time, I suggest you jump on over to their web site, give them a call, and tell ’em you are a John Cleese fan. You’re welcome.

John Cleese is looking forward to death –although considering his mother’s longevity, he may have a long wait…

Cleese, Cats, and Taylor Swift…

John Cleese and Taylor Swift both appeared on The Graham Norton Show (part of John’s publicity blitz to promote his autobiography, #soanyway…). Fans might know that John is a huge cat lover. And I suspect it’s general knowledge that Taylor Swift is not known for her sense of humor. Keep these two facts in mind as you watch the following…

Twenty-five years. A quarter of a century. That’s how long ago Graham Chapman was snatched away from us after his battle with cancer on October 4, 1989.

It doesn’t really seem possible, because Graham seems more alive than ever. He was much-remembered in the Monty Python Live (Mostly) reunion show at the O2 last summer. And, John Cleese does an excellent job of bringing his old writing partner back to live in the pages of his upcoming autobiography So Anyway…

But of course, none of that can replace the living, breathing, squawking man that so many of us know and love, and I count myself fortunate to have so many personal memories. I try to blog an occasional Graham story and should do so more often. For instance…

Graham and his son John Tomiczek were in Chicago over a long weekend, when Graham was on one of his lecture tours. I had met up with them, as I usually did, showing them some of the more interesting people and places, catching up, and having a good time in general. Not long after they arrived, they made an unfortunate discovery: the hotel did not provide laundry service over the weekend. None of the other options had a sufficiently short turn-around time, and they wouldn’t have a chance to get their laundry done before leaving town. They had been counting on this and were down to the last of their supplies. When I arrived at their room, Graham was concerned enough to mention it to me. Don’t worry, I assured him, I know what we can do. And so, we piled into my car, laundry in the trunk, and headed to my parents’ house in Ottawa, Illinois.

About two hours later, we arrived late in the afternoon, and my parents were apparently about to leave to go out for dinner. But when Graham walked in, their plans went out the window. We all sat down and visited for a few minutes, and I explained their predicament. Dinner plans went out the window and my mother, bless her heart, immediately began doing their laundry. Shortly after that, I took Graham and John out to show them the sights of Ottawa, which did not take terribly long. But when we arrived back at my parents’ house, the laundry was finished. “She even folded everything!” admired John, as indeed she had, down to the socks and underwear. Graham and John were tremendously grateful, and we packed things up and went back to Chicago. I later told the story to Michael Palin, who dubbed her “Marge Johnson, Laundress to the Stars!”

It’s hard to imagine what Graham would be up to now if he were still with us (though I’m sure he’d be more organized with his laundry). Still, I can’t help thinking how unfair it was that he wasn’t about to join the other five at the O2. But I can tell you this: for the limited number of days he had, Graham lived each one to the fullest.

Cleese’s Canadian Club, Pt. 2

When I posted my previous entry, I didn’t have much information about John’s three scheduled appearances next month in Canada. I do now, and in fact, strongly suggest that you get tickets now (that goes for the US events as well)–they’re going fast and in some cases are sold out!

So here’s the deal:

TORONTO – Interview with Ian Brown, writer for the Globe and Mail
Saturday, November 8th, 7:30 PM
John Bassett Theatre
255 Front Street, Toronto, ON

VANCOUVER – Interview with Stephen Quinn from CBC Radio’s On the Coast
Friday, November 14th at 7:30 PM
The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
777 Homer St., Vancouver, BC V6B 2W1

VICTORIA – Interview with Jo-Ann Roberts, from CBC Radio’s All Points West
Saturday, November 15th at 7:30 PM
Farquar Auditorium
University Centre, Victoria V8W 3P2

Cleese Canadian Club

Yes, to those who have been asking, John Cleese will indeed be promoting So, Anyway… in Canada in November. If you’re in the Toronto area, look for him Nov 8, 9, and 10.

November 13, 14 and 15, he’ll be in Vancouver and Victoria, respectively (if not respectfully). More to come…